Malik Dia delivered a standout performance, achieving season highs with 23 points and 19 rebounds, leading the No. 21 Ole Miss Rebels to a 74-64 victory over the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Dia’s impressive display was complemented by strong showings from Jaylen Murray and Jaemyn Brakefield, who each contributed 13 points for the Rebels, now holding a 15-2 overall record and a flawless 4-0 mark in SEC play.
Ole Miss’ suffocating defense proved pivotal in the game, as they managed to frustrate Alabama, forcing them into committing 21 costly turnovers. Sean Pedulla, the Rebels’ point guard, showcased his versatility by posting 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Matthew Murrell added 11 points to the winning effort.
The victory marked a historic moment for Ole Miss as they secured their first-ever win in 35 road matchups against AP Top 5 teams and their first triumph in Tuscaloosa since 2015. On the other side, Alabama, with a 14-3 record overall and 3-1 in conference play, suffered their first defeat in nine games as they struggled to keep up with the Rebels’ tenacious defense.
Aden Holloway led the scoring for the Crimson Tide with 15 points, while Mark Sears, the SEC’s leading scorer averaging 19.1 points per game, contributed 11 points. Despite Alabama’s offensive firepower, they were held to just 28 points in the second half by Ole Miss’ resolute defense.
The game marked only the third time in 186 meetings where both teams were ranked, with the previous instances occurring in the 2000-01 season. The matchup featured two of the three schools that were undefeated in SEC play as the highly anticipated contest unfolded.
Alabama, known for their potent offense, faced uncharacteristic struggles as they committed five turnovers in a span of just over three minutes, allowing Ole Miss to capitalize on their mistakes and gain momentum. The game remained closely contested, with the score tied at 23-all after Pedulla’s jumper, with Dia already contributing eight points at that juncture.
Ole Miss managed to force 11 turnovers from the Crimson Tide in the first half, but Alabama, who typically averages 91.1 points per game, managed to hold a slim 36-32 lead at halftime, courtesy of a clutch off-balance three-pointer from Holloway in the closing seconds of the half.
The Rebels seized control in the second half, with Murrell igniting a decisive 5-0 run in just 26 seconds, extending their lead to 56-46 with nine minutes remaining in the game. Pedulla further extended the lead with a timely three-pointer with 2:33 left on the clock, putting Ole Miss ahead by 12 points.
In the final moments of the game
